Oman Oil Seeks BG Oil and Gas Block

23 June 2010

State-run Oman Oil Company (OOC) is in talks with Oman's Ministry of Oil and Gas to take on an exploration block ceded by the UK's BG Group, a senior Omani oil official said.

The Ministry of Oil and Gas Undersecretary Nasser al-Jashmi told Reuters the OOC is in discussion with the ministry to take over the BG concession in Oman.

Earlier this month, BG pulled out of the deal to develop Oman's oil and gas block 60 to focus on global opportunities elsewhere.

BG had planned to start gas output from the block in 2012 and had estimated an early output of between 200 million and 300 million cubic feet per day (cfd).

The block covers an area of 1,500km² at Abu Butabul.